Isa 40:1 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Isa 40:1-2: 40:1–66:24 The rest of Isaiah provides a message of comfort and a revelation of God’s character and his purposes for Israel. As 39:6-7 predicted, Judah would experience judgment and exile after the time of Isaiah. Throughout chs 40–66 , Isaiah prophesied from the vantage point of the Exile having already become a reality. Therefore, the Babylonian exile provides the background for understanding these chapters. Summary for Isa 40:1-11: 40:1–55:13 This section announces the good news of God’s coming salvation. The Lord is coming to vindicate his own and to judge his enemies. Salvation would be accomplished through the arrival, suffering, and exaltation of the Lord’s servant—the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Summary for Isa 40:1-31: 40:1-31 This chapter introduces chs 40–66 . In this section, comfort refers to the result of God’s merciful way of dealing with people in the age to come. It includes encouragement, strength, and acceptance. God wants to rescue his people (40:1-11 ) and is more than able to do so (40:12-26 ). The exiles needed to believe God’s promises and wait on him for their rescue (40:27-31 ; see also 30:15-18 ).

a40:1–66:24►

b39:6-7►

c40–66►

d40:1–55:13►

e40:1-31►

f40–66►

g40:1-11►

h40:12-26►

i40:27-31►

j30:15-18►

‏ Isaiah 40:1

Summary for Isa 40:1-2: 40:1–66:24 ^a The rest of Isaiah provides a message of comfort and a revelation of God’s character and his purposes for Israel. As 39:6-7 ^b predicted, Judah would experience judgment and exile after the time of Isaiah. Throughout chs 40–66 ^c, Isaiah prophesied from the vantage point of the Exile having already become a reality. Therefore, the Babylonian exile provides the background for understanding these chapters.
Summary for Isa 40:1-11: 40:1–55:13 ^d This section announces the good news of God’s coming salvation. The Lord is coming to vindicate his own and to judge his enemies. Salvation would be accomplished through the arrival, suffering, and exaltation of the Lord’s servant—the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Summary for Isa 40:1-31: 40:1-31 ^e This chapter introduces chs 40–66 ^f. In this section, comfort refers to the result of God’s merciful way of dealing with people in the age to come. It includes encouragement, strength, and acceptance. God wants to rescue his people (40:1-11 ^g) and is more than able to do so (40:12-26 ^h). The exiles needed to believe God’s promises and wait on him for their rescue (40:27-31 ⁱ; see also 30:15-18 ^j).